Clifford Chance’s dedicated sports group counts international and national sporting bodies, investors, clubs and banks among its key roster of clients. At the forefront of several groundbreaking deals and with a balanced litigation and advisory practice, the team has strong capabilities in the sale of exploitation rights, TV rights, sponsorship and the organisation of major sporting events, from regulatory compliance to financing and infrastructure. Recent highlights include representing the French Tennis Federation on the tender of sale of domestic TV rights of Roland Garros. The team is led by Yves Wehrli, who is a leading expert in the sports industry. Thibaud d’Alès specialises in litigation, representing major clients before arbitration tribunals and high courts, and Gauthier Martin is another name of note.

Focusing on sports business matters, FIDAL provides clients with a full-service offering that spans the sports sector. In addition to boasting extensive knowledge of M&A deals in the industry, the sports law team covers contracts, taxation and contentious matters. The practice’s multi-disciplinary approach sees it advise sports federations, clubs and investors on IP, public and competition law issues. Simon Darricau leads the team and has expertise in football matters. Guillaume Pezzali focuses on distribution and sponsorship within the sports sector, while Franck Jallas advises clubs, federations and unions on tax mandates. Pascal Lavie leads on matters in Marseille, while Karine Melcher-Vinckevleugel and Jean-Sebastien Oriou are also key contacts in the group. Sophie Dion left the firm at the end of 2023.

Emmanuel Durand leads the sports team at DWF (France) AARPI, with an established reputation in the sport and media law sector. Durand handles a range of contentious and non-contentious mandates, advising on competition law matters in the sports sector and representing clients in litigation, with additional expertise in the sale of media and marketing rights, and the organisation of international sporting events. Notably, the team has been involved in the organisation of the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024.

With extensive experience in the sports industry, Klein Wenner caters to a diverse portfolio of clients, including luminaries such as professional football player, Raphaël Varane. The team is co-led by Laurent Badiane, Matthieu Bourgeois, Eve Derouesné, François Klein and Marc De Monsembernard.

Latham & Watkins demonstrates tenacity in commercial sports matters, such as strategic financing, sponsorship deals, digital and IT agreements. Its impressive client roster includes Vivendi Sports and the International Olympic Committee. The highly experienced Jean-Luc Juhan leads the group.

Noted for its expertise in sport-related disputes, while regularly handling sports rights agreements, Paul Hastings LLP counts national and international sports leagues and clubs among its key roster of clients. The practice is involved in sports event organisation and management, in addition to handling television rights negotiations and antitrust disputes in the sports industry. Jean-Louis Martin leads the team, with over 20 years’ experience in the sector and an established reputation in the sports business arena.

A boutique firm rapidly establishing itself in the sports market, VARET PRÈS KILLY excels at assisting major clients in arbitration and litigation before the courts. The team is closely involved with the upcoming Paris Rugby World Cup and adept at advising on the shifting regulatory landscape. Renowned industry veteran Rhadamès Killy leads the practice alongside Xavier Près.